Brewers (4) @ Cardinals (3) 7/24 -- Tastes Great, Less Filling

Tastes Great:

Ben Sheets--Didn't seem like he had great stuff, but kept the Brewers in it nonetheless.  Definetly got stronger and better as the game went on.

Ryan Braun--What else can you say about this guy that hasn't been said already?  And Braunie, you watch that bomb as long as you damn well please.  Also raised his batting average to .301

JJ Hardy--Quietly went 3 for 5 and scored two runs.  He also raised his average to .300.

Prince Fielder--Is heating up; is a home run binge far behind? 

Less Filling:

Corey Hart--Wow, that has to be the worst game played by a position player since Dan Uggla's All-Star debacle.  Grounded into two double plays in key situations, nearly grounded into a third with the bases loaded, left 9 runners on base, made a poor throw on Pujols' sac fly, and committed a ridiculous error that allowed the Cardinals to score a free run.  I love ya Corey, but you need to get some stuff figured out and quick.  That's 16 men left on base in the last two games.  If he has even an average game today it would have made a 2-3 run difference with a lot more breathing room for us.

Brewers hitting with runners on--This has quietly been a problem all year, and even showed its head on this road trip.  The Brewers have left a lot of men on in nearly every game of the trip.  Even the games they scored quite a few runs they still had a lot more baserunners they stranded.  Hopefully this doesn't become a bigger concern and they can improve.  Last night they had 17 baserunners (10 hits, 7 walks) but only managed 4 runs. 

The Brewers are 14th in the NL in batting average with runners in scoring position at .247 and 13th in the league in BA with runners in scoring position at .226.  One silver lining I guess is that they are third in Close & Late situations at .266.  This is defined as the 7th inning or later with the team ahead by one run, tied, or the tying run at least on deck.